Gold Coast duo Alex Davies and Malcolm Rosas each face a nervous wait ahead of the AFL Match Review Officer's findings from Sunday's Round 18 action, with a potential forceful front-on contact charge potentially leading to a suspension for Davies.
An incident in the first quarter of the match between Gold Coast and Port Adelaide saw the young Sun make high contact with Power defender Lachie Jones, who was over the ball looking to gain possession as Davies entered the contest with some speed and side-on.
The collision floored Jones, who underwent a head injury assessment on the sidelines and would subsequently be subbed out of the match due to concussion and neck concerns.
Davies' actions are sure to earn the attention of the MRO, who could hand down a forceful front-on contact charge to the 22-year-old.
The MRO would have to hold the view that Davies either contested the ball reasonably or that the incident occurred through circumstances outside of his control to not hand down a charge.
Lachie Jones left the field after this incident with Alex Davies.#AFLSunsPower pic.twitter.com/VqtU2BtfZ4
— AFL (@AFL) July 14, 2024
Should a reportable offence be handed down, the conduct and contact gradings are likely to be graded as careless and high respectively, with the level of impact set to decide Davies' fate.
Given Jones' injury, a grading of 'high' or 'severe' could be handed down, which would see Davies offered a two or three-game suspension respectively. A grading of 'medium' impact would result in a one-game suspension, while a 'low' grading would see the Suns player handed only a fine, albeit is unlikely.
Rosas is also set to earn the ire of the MRO for a high strike on Port Adelaide youngster Logan Evans off the ball.
Footage shows Rosas raise his arm and make contact to the back of Evans' head, which floored the Power defender.
A striking charge awaits Rosas, whose actions could be deemed as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact, which would result in a one-game suspension. A medium impact grading would see Rosas facing two weeks on the sidelines.
Malcolm Rosas was involved in this incident with Logan Evans.#AFLSunsPower pic.twitter.com/eI7X0gEmyb
— AFL (@AFL) July 14, 2024
Rosas was suspended for one game earlier this year for headbutting Adelaide's Max Michalanney in Round 1.
Gold Coast are scheduled to face GWS, Brisbane and West Coast in their next three matches.ย
The MRO's findings for Sunday's action will be handed down on Monday evening.ย
